Asif gets one- year ban from IPL

MUMBAI/KARACHI (Reuters) - Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif received a one-year ban for doping from an Indian Twenty20 league on Wednesday and is considering appealing the suspension.

"I don't know if I am allowed to appeal the ban. Once the picture is clear my intention is to challenge the ban," Asif told Reuters in Karachi.

Asif was initially suspended last May after testing positive for the banned anabolic steroid nandrolone in the inaugural edition of the league.

The 26-year-old maintained he had never intentionally used drugs.

"I'm relieved that the drugs inquiry tribunal has finally given its decision. Since last year I have been under a lot of pressure," Asif told Reuters.

"I want to play for Pakistan and be cleared of this doping charge because I have never used banned substances intentionally."

LEGAL OPTIONS

Asif said he was in touch with his legal advisor and would take a decision on challenging the ban soon.

"We will explore all legal ways to see if we can challenge this ban. In the meantime, I will carry on training to keep myself fit for a return to the national team this year."

Organisers of the Twenty20 league said the ban would be retroactively imposed from Sept. 22 last year.

"Mohammad Asif was found guilty... in as much as a prohibited substance namely nandrolone was found in the urine sample extracted from the player during the support period and the match played on May 30, 2008," they said in a statement in Mumbai.

"The year's ineligibility for Mohammad Asif will be from Sept. 22 2008, as that was the date when the league had imposed the suspension order, post which the cricketer has not been allowed to play any match."

The global anti-doping body Saturday endorsed a one-year ban placed on Pakistan's Mohammad Asif, saying it will not appeal against the punishment.
Asif, 26, tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone during the opening season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) last year.

Pakistan's cricket chief said Friday he had asked the Indian Premier League (IPL) to reduce a one-year ban against fast bowler Mohammad Asif by two months.
The IPL on Wednesday slapped a one-year ban on Asif for failing a dope test during last year's inaugural tournament.

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif appeared before an Indian Premier League tribunal on Saturday to defend charges over a failed dope test, officials said.
Asif, 26, tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone during the opening season of the IPL's Twenty20 tournament last year, in which he turned out for the Delhi Daredevils franchise.

The International Cricket Council has asked officials in Pakistan to explain what action it plans to take against troubled fast bowler Mohammad Asif after his drugs arrest, an official said Thursday.
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Pakistan's Senate sports committee Tuesday recommended that troubled fast bowler Mohammad Asif be banned from cricket for life over his detention in Dubai last year for opium possession.
The 26-year-old paceman was detained in June for nearly three weeks as he was returning to Pakistan after playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).